Dawn of a new Force

Chapter 53 - The cave.

The door opened suddenly, in a cloud of dust floating in the air like a myriad of glitter. Ben was speechless. He gazed at her. It was like seeing the day for the first time, seeing the sun after an endless night. He had seen in his suffering not to see her, nor to be near her, how much she missed him. He now realized, to his joy at finding her, how much he could not live without her.

He approached the bed slowly as she sat up and sat in the bed. He came to meet her and took his hand. She responded by shaking his hand, then turned her head slightly to Finn, who was in the doorway. He winked at her, then turned and closed the door. He understood that they needed to meet again.

- I'm ... so ... happy to know you're better, he said, his throat tightening.

It had always been difficult for him to show his emotions, he certainly had that from his father. But in contact with Rey, he had learned to show them, always a little more.

- And I'm relieved to know that you're still here! She joked.

They kissed each other, and the kiss that began as a tender kiss turned into a passionate kiss. He crushed his burning lips against Rey's as if it were water and had been thirsty for weeks. She knelt on the edge of the bed and intertwined her fingers around his neck, letting herself be carried by Ben's entire waist. He put his hands on her hips, and eventually lift. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her grip tightened. Ben slid his hands down her back, and she began to want to take off his shirt.

But Ben took his mind back and laid her on the floor gently. As she began to protest, he gently took her shoulders. She looked up at him.

- I know why you did not tell me ... but I want to understand. Why?

She looked down. She returned to bed and sat on the edge.

- I was not sure ... it seemed so ... she shrugged. Finally, I did not believe it. And then, why do you say you know?

He stared at her. She did not need words to understand. She opened her eyes, looking horrified.

- You dared ... she murmured. You dared! she repeated louder.

- Yes I did it. But only because I wanted to understand. I think it was justified.

- So why? What else do you want?

- I want to understand! He threw. Why did not you think I could hear your vision? Why did you try to distract myself from this?

- Because ... she began. Because it terrifies me, she confessed.

He leaned toward her, and squeezed her against his chest.

- You must not, he murmured to her. I will not allow this to happen.

He paused.

- My death, I mean. Not the rest.

She pushed him gently to see his eyes. He was smiling.

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A few hours later, when she was fully recovered, she had donned her traditional dress, she could take her first steps outdoors for several days. She was savoring the light sea breeze, drinking a goblet of amber juice.

She felt Finn approaching and turned to greet him. He hugged her and jumped as the hot juice slid from the cup onto him. He sat in the sand, and he pulled from his bag one of the books that Rey had brought from Ach-To.

She raised a puzzled eyebrow.

- I borrowed it from you ...

- Did you manage to read it?

- Nope, he smiled. What gibberish! But I found someone who managed to read me a very interesting extract. I immediately thought of you.

He drew from his bag a sheet of paper on which a text had been hastily written. Finn continued his explanation as she read the text.

- When we were recovered BB-8, I showed the book to Maz. She asked me where you left, I told her what I knew. That you wanted to finish your training. Maz immediately looked for a passage in the book, she read it to me. She could read it ... it was as if ... as if she had always known it.

- Kyber crystals can be found almost everywhere? Rey said, looking up at him.

He nodded.

- But then, why ... why did everyone communicate so much about the few mines that existed, especially Jedha?

- Maz told me that it was part of a tradition, an initiatory rite ... But wherever there was volcanic activity, Kyber crystals can be formed.

Rey thought for a moment. She got up at once.

- We must find which planet is likely to harbor crystals ... And quickly, before the battle begins.

Finn got up in his turn.

- Precisely, you have before you the most stubborn guy in the galaxy. I did some research for you ... and you'll never guess.

- Right here? she asked hopefully.

- The local population speaks of a sacred cave, where some men went but never came out ... but for those who came out, they say that "the great hall is covered with millions of jewels such as the soul can not imagine . "

They looked at each other.

- And where exactly is this cave? Rey asked.

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Ben, followed by Finn, and both following Rey, arrived at the entrance to the cave that Finn had heard about. They were all sweating profusely after crossing some of the jungle. The dampness made the clothes stick to their skin, and Ben had gradually dropped the long sleeves for a simple black t-shirt, while Finn had put on a white one. Rey had soberly removed the flax strips covering her arms. Hair up in a simple bun, she pushed a lock glued to her forehead.

Before them opened an abyss of salt water, a hole in the ground, and in the distance, they saw the birth of a cave, half-immersed. The three companions stood on the rocky ridge that bordered the waterhole. They all looked at each other, not daring to jump into the black water. It was Ben who broke the silence.

- You have to go, he said to Rey.

- I feel great strength coming from this place, Rey shuddered. And ... I do not know how to swim, she confessed.

- I can help you, Finn suggested.

- No! Ben said quickly.

Then he softens. He appreciated more and more FN-2187, who had been so considerate of Rey. In addition, he felt between them a deep and sincere friendship, but nothing more. And that reassured him.

- No, I'll help her.

He took Rey's hand.

- I will guide you, but once in the cave, you will have to make your choice, alone. Are you ready?

She nodded, and after taking a deep breath, they both threw themselves into the dark waters.